Early Christians in Disarray

Early Christians in Disarray
Author: Noel B. Reynolds
Publisher: Maxwell Institute
Total Pages: 430
Release: 2005
Genre: Religion
ISBN:

This book takes a fresh look at the apostasy of the early Christian church. Most Latter-day Saint scholars and leaders previously based their understanding of the Christian apostasy on the findings of Protestant scholars who provided a seemingly endless array of evidences of apostasy in Christian history. Since the classic treatments of this topic were written, many newly discovered manuscripts written during the first Christian centuries have come to light, giving a clearer picture of what the early Christian experience was like. Drawing on this material, LDS scholars today are able to shift the focus of study to the causes of the apostasy rather than the effects. This volume of essays reports new research by several LDS scholars in different fields. They identify common myths and misconceptions about the apostasy and promote better understanding of when and why the apostasy occurred.

The Great Apostasy

The Great Apostasy
Author: James Edward Talmage
Publisher: Binker North
Total Pages: 132
Release: 1909
Genre: Literary Collections
ISBN:

The Great Apostasy Considered in the Light of Scriptural and Secular History is a 1909 book by James E. Talmage that summarizes the Great Apostasy, Mormon doctrine, from the viewpoint of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). Talmage wrote his book with the intention that it be used as a teaching tool within the LDS Church's Young Men's Mutual Improvement Association and the Young Women's Mutual Improvement Association. The book is "in many ways quite derivative" of B. H. Roberts's 1893 Outlines of Ecclesiastical History. Both writers borrowed heavily from the writings of Protestant scholars who argued that Roman Catholicism had apostatized from true Christianity. Talmage's book has been described as "the most recognizable and noted work on the topic" of Latter-day Saint views of the Great Apostasy.

Irenaeus, Joseph Smith, and God-Making Heresy

Irenaeus, Joseph Smith, and God-Making Heresy
Author: Adam J. Powell
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield
Total Pages: 277
Release: 2015-10-30
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1611478723

Irenaeus, Joseph Smith, and God-Making Heresy seeks both to demonstrate the salience of “heresy” as a tool for analyzing instances of religious conflict far beyond the borders of traditional historical theology and to illuminate the apparent affinity for deification exhibited by some persecuted religious movements. To these ends, the book argues for a sociologically-informed redefinition of heresy as religiously-motivated opposition and applies the resulting concept to the historical cases of second-century Christians and nineteenth-century Mormons. Ultimately, Irenaeus, Joseph Smith, and God-Making Heresy is a careful application of the comparative method to two new religious movements, highlighting the social processes at work in their early doctrinal developments.

The Saints of Zion

The Saints of Zion
Author: Travis Kerns
Publisher: B&H Publishing Group
Total Pages: 333
Release: 2018-10-01
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1433692171

The Saints of Zion is a fresh look at the history and theology of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Although hundreds of books have been published on this topic, The Saints of Zion is an attempt to explain Latter-day Saint history and beliefs from their own perspective. Relying heavily on Latter-day Saint sources for exploration and explanation, the work’s purpose is to present Latter-day Saint theology in such a way that Latter-day Saints would see their beliefs represented fairly and accurately. After presenting a short history and exploration of beliefs, the work turns to present an effective evangelistic methodology for reaching Latter-day Saints with the gospel of the New Testament Jesus.

Mormonism: A Guide for the Perplexed

Mormonism: A Guide for the Perplexed
Author: Robert L. Millet
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
Total Pages: 281
Release: 2015-11-19
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1441132147

Mormonism: A Guide for the Perplexed explains central facets of the Mormon faith and way of life for those wishing to gain a clearer understanding of this rapidly growing world religion. As The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints continues to grow in the United States and especially in other countries (with a total membership of over 15 million, more than 50% of which is outside the US), and as theologians and church leaders wrestle with whether Mormonism is in fact a valid expression of modern Christianity, this distinctive religious tradition has become increasingly an object of interest and inquiry. This book is the ideal companion to the study of this perplexing and often misunderstood religion. Covering historical aspects, this guide takes a careful look at the whole of Mormonism, its tenets and practices, as well as providing an insight into a Mormon life.

Interpreter: A Journal of Mormon Scripture, Volume 5 (2013)

Interpreter: A Journal of Mormon Scripture, Volume 5 (2013)
Author: The Interpreter Foundation
Publisher: The Interpreter Foundation
Total Pages: 248
Release: 2013-09-02
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1492309826

This is volume 5 (2013) of Interpreter: A Journal of Mormon Scripturepublished by The Interpreter Foundation. It contains articles on a variety of topics including the continuation of Bible-like divine manifestations and revelations, a book review of Mormon Parallels: A Bibliographic Source and essay in the study of literary parallels, an examination of the construction of the Words of Mormon in the Book of Mormon, an essay of the history of the translation process of the Book of Mormon, a book review of Temple Mysticism: An Introduction by Margaret Barker, and a study of theophany and sacrifice as the etiological foundation of the temple, both ancient and modern.

Interpreter: A Journal of Mormon Scripture, Volume 7 (2013)

Interpreter: A Journal of Mormon Scripture, Volume 7 (2013)
Author: The Interpreter Foundation
Publisher: The Interpreter Foundation
Total Pages: 378
Release: 2013-12-19
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 149449857X

This is volume 7 (2013) of Interpreter: A Journal of Mormon Scripture published by The Interpreter Foundation. It contains articles on a variety of topics including a transcript of a talk by Elder Neal A. Maxwell, an essay on morality and freedom, a book review of Misreading Scripture with Western Eyes, a description of the original text of the Book of Mormon and its publication, a book review of The Mother of the Lord, a book review of Deconstructing Mormonism, a book review of Passing the Heavenly Gift, and an analysis of the arguments alleging The Late War as a source for the Book of Mormon text.

Orthodoxy and Heresy in Early Christian Contexts

Orthodoxy and Heresy in Early Christian Contexts
Author: Paul A Hartog
Publisher: James Clarke & Company
Total Pages: 287
Release: 2015-08-27
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 022790494X

Eighty years ago, Walter Bauer promulgated a bold and provocative thesis about early Christianity. He argued that many forms of Christianity started the race, but one competitor pushed aside the others, until this powerful 'orthodox' version won theday. The victors rewrote history, marginalizing all other perspectives and silencing their voices, even though the alternatives possessed equal right to the title of normative Christianity. Bauer's influence still casts a long shadow on early Christian scholarship. Were heretical movements the original forms of Christianity? Did the heretics outnumber the orthodox? Did orthodox heresiologists accurately portray their opponents? And more fundamentally, how can one make any objective distinction between 'heresy' and 'orthodoxy'? Is such labeling merely the product of socially situated power? Did numerous, valid forms of Christianity exist without any validating norms of Christianity? This collection of essays, each written by a relevant authority, tackles such questions with scholarly acumen and careful attention to historical, cultural-geographical, and socio-rhetorical detail. Although recognizing the importance of Bauer's critical insights, innovative methodologies, and fruitful suggestions, the contributors expose numerous claims of the Bauer thesis (in both original and recent manifestations) that fall short of the historical evidence.

In Defense of the Bible

In Defense of the Bible
Author: Steven B. Cowan
Publisher: B&H Publishing Group
Total Pages: 508
Release: 2018-11-26
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1535965436

In Defense of the Bible gathers exceptional articles by accomplished scholars (Paul Copan, William A. Dembski, Mary Jo Sharp, Darrell L. Bock, etc.), addressing and responding to all of the major contemporary challenges to the divine inspiration and authority of Scripture. The book begins by looking at philosophical and methodological challenges to the Bible—questions about whether or not it is logically possible for God to communicate verbally with human beings; what it means to say the Bible is true in response to postmodern concerns about the nature of truth; defending the clarity of Scripture against historical skepticism and relativism. Contributors also explore textual and historical challenges—charges made by Muslims, Mormons, and skeptics that the Bible has been corrupted beyond repair; questions about the authorship of certain biblical books; allegations that the Bible borrows from pagan myths; the historical reliability of the Old and New Testaments. Final chapters take on ethical, scientific, and theological challenges— demonstrating the Bible’s moral integrity regarding the topics of slavery and sexism; harmonizing exegetical and theological conclusions with the findings of science; addressing accusations that the Christian canon is the result of political and theological manipulation; ultimately defending the Bible as not simply historically reliable and consistent, but in fact the Word of God.

The Wrath of Gods

The Wrath of Gods
Author: Mircea a. Tamas
Publisher: Rose-Cross Books
Total Pages: 37
Release: 2004
Genre: Body, Mind & Spirit
ISBN: 0973119144

We have entered indeed the final phase of Kali-yuga, the darkest period of this dark age, this state of dissolution from which we cannot escape but through a cataclysm, since it is not about a simple straightening that would be necessary, but about a total renovation. Disorder and confusion [the Great Disarray] reign in all the areas; they have reached a point which surpasses by far all that we have seen until now, and ... threaten to invade the entire world ... it seems to be the sign of the most serious crisis encountered by humanity in the present cycle. (René Guénon, La Crise du monde moderne)